Two wins in a row for Louth U16s

Louth Ladies U16 team made it two wins from two in the Leinster Championship with a comprehensive victory (8-13 to 4-02) over a battling Carlow side in Swords on Sunday.

Louth U16 Squad

The fixture, the first part of a double-header which also saw the Wee County’s side face Carlow in Division Four of the National League, saw the Reds play with the aid of the breeze in the first half.

They used it to their advantage, registering an early goal from the boot of Knockbridge sharpshooter Ellen McBride who went on to register a first-half hat trick.

With Sophie Turley and Mia Duffy on top in the middle of the park midfield there was a plentiful supply of ball to the forward line and Roisin Maguire (0–5) and Abi Keenan used it wisely to give Louth a 3–6 to 2–1 lead at the short whistle.

Roisin Maguire fights to hold possession

A number of subs were introduced at the break, and whatever manager Martin Duffy said in the dressing room had an immediate effect with one of those replacements, Ava Briscoe, bagging two goals immediately after the restart.

Further goals followed from Ellen McBride, who took her tally to four for the day, while Ava Briscoe completed her hat trick and the impressive Abi Keenan also hit the net.

Rachel Leonard gets a shot away

Centre-forward Rachel Leonard, along with substitutes Sarah Gilmore and Seona Halligan also kicked some great points to complete the scoring for the Reds.

This win guarantees Louth a Leinster semi-final place at the end of April with a game to spare. Next up is a home game with Kilkenny in two weeks with the winners handed home advantage in the last four.

LOUTH U16: Rebecca Lambe Fagan; Amy Farrell, Sinead Kneel, Emily Johnson; Caoimhe Crichton, Kelly Carolan, Laoise McElroy; Sophie Turley, Mia Duffy; Kaylin Nugent, Rachel Leonard (0–2), Leah McArdle; Abi Keenan (1–1), Ellen McBride (4–0), Roisin Maguire (0–6). Subs: Kerry Ann D’arcy, Caitlin O’Reilly, Rachel Hynes, Ella McEnteggert, Aine Carolan, Louise Johnson, Evelyn Donnelly, Neasa Reilly, Ava Briscoe (3–1), Katie Conlon, Seona Halligan (0–1), Sarah Gilmore (0–2).